Strong field for state seat

Vaucluse, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, may be the state seat most sought after by members of the NSW Liberal Party.

When the party was trying to convince
Joe Hockey
to switch to state politics, Vaucluse was talked about. When
Malcolm Turnbull
contemplated his future early this year, he considered running for Vaucluse. His wife and former Sydney lord mayor
Lucy Turnbull
was also mooted as a potential candidate. And in 1994, at the start of their political careers, former Liberal leader and current Vaucluse MP
Peter Debnam
edged out another former leader
John Brogden
for selection in the blue-ribbon seat.

After 17 years, Mr Debnam is retiring at the election in March and his replacement is to be chosen on Saturday.

Also in the race are local councillors Andrew Petrie and Peter Cavanagh, two former Turnbull staff – media adviser Mary-Lou Jarvis and business consultant Anthony Orkin – and GP Greg Levenston.

The large number of strong candidates lining up for the party six months before the election bodes well for leader
Barry O’Farrell
and the Coalition, which wants as many talented MPs as possible to be available as potential ministers.

“There is that feeling of people being more interested because the party is on the verge of government and there’s more they can potentially do," said
Arthur Sinodinos
, a former chief of staff to John Howard.

Ms Upton, a lawyer for the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is probably the favourite to take the seat, but Mr Doyle, of the seafood restaurant family, has strong backers within the party.

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The pair have managed to generate a lot of interest in the business world and many predict the new Vaucluse member could be a strong ministry contender.

Included in Mr Doyle’s list of referees is Sydney Airport chairman
Max Moore-Wilton
,
Robert Hill Smith
of the Yalumba winery, former politician and chairman of the Tourism Transport Forum
Bruce Baird
and president of the NSW Australian Hotels Association Scott Leach.

Ms Upton has attracted the support of high-profile business leaders such as investment banker
David Gonski
, outgoing Leighton boss
Wal King
, AMP chairman
Peter Mason
and fund manager
Robert Maple-Brown
.

Mr King’s reference said NSW had been “languishing for many years" and Parliament needed more people like Ms Upton.

The tussle for Vaucluse comes as Labor announced during the week a push to renew its ranks, with pressure on controversial powerbrokers
Joe Tripodi
and upper house MP
Eddie Obeid
to retire at the election.